Black Thrillers
Last month, the final part of YOU Season 4 was released and Sistah Girls, it was wild!
Watching the show got me thinking: why not highlight some amazing Black thrillers I’ve read that emulate all the craziness of Joe Goldberg and company?
Though not all the novels listed here have a delusional serial killer at the heart of the plot, there is plenty of murder, conspiracy, and downright awful characters for readers looking to get their fix- especially since the show won’t be returning until 2024.
So, here are five Black Thrillers with some major YOU vibes!
They All Fall Down by Rachel Howzell Hall
An adaptation of Agatha Christie’s And Then There Were None, this fast-paced thriller from Rachel Howzell Hall follows seven strangers lured to a private island, and the chaos that ensues.
It gives off YOU and Glass Onion vibes with its chilling conspiracies, shocking twist and turns, and of course, disturbing murders. One of my favorites!
My Sister the Serial Killer by Oyinkan Braithwaite
This comically dark thriller by Oyinkan Braithwaite follows the protagonist Korede, cleaning up after her delusional, conventionally attractive sister Ayoola, who can’t stop killing her lovers. Sound familiar?
This was an incredibly fast-paced read that I devoured in a couple of hours–a must-read!
When No One is Watching by Alyssa Cole
This slow burn thriller by Alyssa Cole reminded me of YOU due to its masterfully done suspense, many plot twists, and New York setting.
It follows Sidney, who is grappling with the gentrification of her Brooklyn neighborhood and the strange events that follow, and Theo, her new neighbor. This story also has some major Get Out vibes at play as well, this one is definitely for fans of the thriller genre overall!
The Jigsaw Man by Nadine Matheson
Alright, this novel by Nadine Matheson actually centers around a serial killer. It follows Detective Inspector Angelica Henley, and her tense investigation of a copycat killer, who is imitating the gruesome Jigsaw Man.
This one has a true-crime feel to it–an amazing read!
The Violin Conspiracy by Brendan Slocumb
This novel by Brendan Slocumb is marketed as a thriller but its more of a drama centered on family, and racism in the classical music industry.
However, there is a conspiracy (hence the title) and a fair amount of suspense, so I included it in the list. Absolutely worth checking out!
Sistah Girls, I hope you enjoyed this list, if you love thrillers tell me which ones are your faves.